And still draw attention?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Fictional writing...
Some pointers I've pick up in studing fictional writing:
Protagonist= motivated to achieved something important, but faces obstacles and complications.
Who's story are you telling.
Wants something: to have, or be or to do (accomplish) something
What is at stake for the protagonist? What could s/he lose?
We want to care for/root for him or her
Inner conflict/flaws: guilt, remorse, shame
Inner strength: courage, generosity, sense of justice
Inciting incident= incident upsets the inciting incident
Why does the story start at this moment in the character’s life?
Antagonist= What does s/he want? Could be a person, an agency (w/one main person representing that group), a beast or nature.
Also wants something. The antagonist prevents the protagonist from his or her goals.
Action = Roller coaster of events moving the story closer to
What happens to the main character?
In each scene what are the characters physically doing?
Cause of Action: A caused B to happen, what will happen now because of B? (B now becomes A)
Use Present tense verbs – runs, stumbles, jumps
Avoid passive/use active wording – “The sidewalk is covered with snow” active is more dramatic “Snow covers the sidewalk”.
Conflict/Tension = How does your antagonist prevent your protagonist from their goals? What is the drama? What is the cause of the action?
Who pushes the story forward.
Plot = What is the story about?
An suspense plot and an emotional plot
A series of events connected by cause-and –effect relationships.
Does the story go beyond the shallow and into the secret lives of the characters?
Sub-plot – secondary line of events with own cause and effect relationship. Should be related to the main plot
Exposition = Don’t rush exposition. It should be within dialog that has other purposes and not fed to the audience. Give early enough not to seem like a last minute contrivance. Remind audience so that it is fresh in their head at end.
Foreshadowing = set something up in the beginning that pays off later.
Theme = What is the message?
Who are the supporting main characters - What do they want?
Minor characters can help advance/hinder the plot
Minor characters can create tension
Supporting characters can justify giving the audience information
Supporting characters can provide comic relief.
Who is the most interesting Character? Not necessary the main character.
Dialogue = reveal information or give clues to character
Scenes = How many scenes are required? Whenever there is a change in place or time.
Which character controls the scene?
What is the objective of the scene, does it move the story forward?
Locations (set designs) give the story life.
Plot Points: events that catapult the story forward from an Act.
Unit changes: Where does the story change directions?
Scene transitions: contrast, mix intense w/calm. Night w/day etc.…
Is there a recurring motif?
Climax = What is the turning point. When the audience gets its answer.
Is the outcome in doubt, rather than predictable?
Conclusion/Resolution = How does the story end. How is the theme resolved?
Credibility = Was the story believable? Does the story make sense?
Protagonist= motivated to achieved something important, but faces obstacles and complications.
Who's story are you telling.
Wants something: to have, or be or to do (accomplish) something
What is at stake for the protagonist? What could s/he lose?
We want to care for/root for him or her
Inner conflict/flaws: guilt, remorse, shame
Inner strength: courage, generosity, sense of justice
Inciting incident= incident upsets the inciting incident
Why does the story start at this moment in the character’s life?
Antagonist= What does s/he want? Could be a person, an agency (w/one main person representing that group), a beast or nature.
Also wants something. The antagonist prevents the protagonist from his or her goals.
Action = Roller coaster of events moving the story closer to
What happens to the main character?
In each scene what are the characters physically doing?
Cause of Action: A caused B to happen, what will happen now because of B? (B now becomes A)
Use Present tense verbs – runs, stumbles, jumps
Avoid passive/use active wording – “The sidewalk is covered with snow” active is more dramatic “Snow covers the sidewalk”.
Conflict/Tension = How does your antagonist prevent your protagonist from their goals? What is the drama? What is the cause of the action?
Who pushes the story forward.
Plot = What is the story about?
An suspense plot and an emotional plot
A series of events connected by cause-and –effect relationships.
Does the story go beyond the shallow and into the secret lives of the characters?
Sub-plot – secondary line of events with own cause and effect relationship. Should be related to the main plot
Exposition = Don’t rush exposition. It should be within dialog that has other purposes and not fed to the audience. Give early enough not to seem like a last minute contrivance. Remind audience so that it is fresh in their head at end.
Foreshadowing = set something up in the beginning that pays off later.
Theme = What is the message?
Who are the supporting main characters - What do they want?
Minor characters can help advance/hinder the plot
Minor characters can create tension
Supporting characters can justify giving the audience information
Supporting characters can provide comic relief.
Who is the most interesting Character? Not necessary the main character.
Dialogue = reveal information or give clues to character
Scenes = How many scenes are required? Whenever there is a change in place or time.
Which character controls the scene?
What is the objective of the scene, does it move the story forward?
Locations (set designs) give the story life.
Plot Points: events that catapult the story forward from an Act.
Unit changes: Where does the story change directions?
Scene transitions: contrast, mix intense w/calm. Night w/day etc.…
Is there a recurring motif?
Climax = What is the turning point. When the audience gets its answer.
Is the outcome in doubt, rather than predictable?
Conclusion/Resolution = How does the story end. How is the theme resolved?
Credibility = Was the story believable? Does the story make sense?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I've posted a short of video... now one on film
Video is easier to work with in most aspects; however, the gains of film vs. the pixels of video makes film much more visually appealing.
Film vs. Video: What do you think?
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Ride
I have noted a few of the things that I am interested in: Theatre, film and fictional writting. Now some poetry...
THE RIDE
I see the ride before me, but I'm afraid to take the ride.
Still, it seems compelling. Will it release what's locked inside?
As I enter the ride, there seems to be no one around.
So, I take a seat and hold on tight as my heart begins to pound.
The ride is smooth and comforting. No reason to be scared.
But then the ride takes a turn. The turns I deadly feared.
There are others who ride the ride now. Pockets state their name.
As the ride continues the names on papers begin to change.
I want to let go and get off this ride, but you say hold on tight.
It's always darkest before the dawn. And soon there will be light.
So, I continue to hold, but I feel my hands begin to slip from the heat.
And if I should fall off this ride will you catch me?
Or will you just give someone else my seat?
THE RIDE
I see the ride before me, but I'm afraid to take the ride.
Still, it seems compelling. Will it release what's locked inside?
As I enter the ride, there seems to be no one around.
So, I take a seat and hold on tight as my heart begins to pound.
The ride is smooth and comforting. No reason to be scared.
But then the ride takes a turn. The turns I deadly feared.
There are others who ride the ride now. Pockets state their name.
As the ride continues the names on papers begin to change.
I want to let go and get off this ride, but you say hold on tight.
It's always darkest before the dawn. And soon there will be light.
So, I continue to hold, but I feel my hands begin to slip from the heat.
And if I should fall off this ride will you catch me?
Or will you just give someone else my seat?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Pulitzer-Prize in Fiction
Since 1918 there has been over 75 books that have won the Pulitzer in fiction. Although not many, I have listed the ones that I have read:
1940 The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
1947 All The Kings Men - Robert Penn Warren
1952 The Caine Mutiny - Herman Wouk
1961 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
1983 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
1988 Beloved - Toni Morrison
2004 The Known World - Edward P. Jones
1940 The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
1947 All The Kings Men - Robert Penn Warren
1952 The Caine Mutiny - Herman Wouk
1961 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
1968 The Confessions of Nat Turner - Norman Mailer
1980 The Executioner's Song - Norman Mailer
1983 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
1988 Beloved - Toni Morrison
2004 The Known World - Edward P. JonesI intend to read every fictional book that has won a Pulitzer. But it may have to wait til I retire.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Some female directors I admire...
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